Current councillors Tarik Sayeed and Andre Martin told the Western News they do not plan to run again. The same goes for Helena Konanz, who has turned her attention to federal politics. She is the Conservative party candidate for the 2019 election in the South Okanagan-West Kootenay riding.

Six people have put their nomination papers forward for mayor. Incumbent Andrew Jakubeit, James Blake, Jason Cox, Jukka Laurio, John Vassilaki and Dominic Wheeler.

Laurio, who owned a cannabis dispensary at one time in Penticton and then later in Okanagan Falls, tangled with the City of Penticton over his Herbal Green Apothecary business. He build up $30,500 in fines for operating without a proper business licence. A court decision in May ordered him to pay $15,000 of the fines owed to the city and to cease any cannabis sales.

He then moved his operation to Okanagan Falls, where it was subsequently raided by RCMP on May 30.

Laurio previously ran in the 2014 and 2011 municipal election seeking the mayor’s seat. He stopped his campaign in 2011 after revelations of his criminal past came to light. This includes a 2004 conviction for trafficking a controlled substance and possession for the purpose of trafficking. As well, Laurio confirmed he spent four years in federal prison for a sexual offence dating back 15 years at that time.

Current councillors Tarik Sayeed and Andre Martin told the Western News they do not plan to run again. The same goes for Helena Konanz, who has turned her attention to federal politics. She is the Conservative party candidate for the 2019 election in the South Okanagan-West Kootenay riding.

Six people, including Laurio, have put their nomination papers forward for mayor. Incumbent Andrew Jakubeit, James Blake, Jason Cox, John Vassilaki and Dominic Wheeler.